SwimSafer was an initiative by the National Water Safety Council in collaboration with Sports SG in 2010. The programme was reviewed in 2016-2017 and refreshed version of SwimSafer was developed. SwimSafer 2.0 teachers people of all ages and varying abilities to swim and be safe in, or and around water. This programme emphasises skill development in conjunction with water safety and personal water survival education.

Here’s a look at the six stages that are featured in this programme:

SwimSafer Stage 1: An Introduction to Water Skills The objective is to develop confidence and independence in the water, learn general and deep-end water safety. Techniques taught include the forward and backward movement, safe entry and exit and personal water safety. Click here for SwimSafer Stage 1 Teaching Syllabus

SwimSafer Stage 2: Fundamental Water Skills General skill development including unassisted step entry into the water, sculling, feet first surface dives, personal water safety skills as well as water safety in aquatic environments. One of the goals is to achieve 25 metres of continuous swimming. Click here for SwimSafer Stage 2 Teaching Syllabus

SwimSafer Stage 3: Personal Water Survival and Stroke Developmental Skills Entry skills such as the stride jump will be taught. Skills include sculling, underwater skills and putting on a personal flotation device (PFD) whilst in water and swimming with it. One of the goals is to achieve 50 metres of continuous swimming. Click here for SwimSafer Stage 3 Teaching Syllabus

SwimSafer Bronze: Personal Water Survival and Stroke Improvement Skills Development of student’s stroke techniques is a focus here, along with coordinated breathing in deep water. This stage sees the introduction of throw rescues and more personal survival skills. One of the goals is to achieve 100 metres of a variety of strokes. Click here for SwimSafer Bronze Teaching Syllabus

SwimSafer Silver: Intermediate Personal Water Survival and Stroke Refinement Skills Fundamentals of diving will be introduced. Development of personal survival knowledge will continue with a situational context of swimming quickly away from a sinking boat. Students will be required to demonstrate efficient stroke techniques by swimming a variety of strokes over 200 metres within a given time frame. Click here for SwimSafer Silver Teaching Syllabus

SwimSafer Gold: Advanced Personal Water Survival and Swimming Skills Proficiency Students will be required to perform a variety of strokes with efficiency over 400 metres within a given time frame for each stroke. Personal survival skills like making use of clothing to make a personal flotation device and swimming with them, putting on a life jacket in water and demonstrating the Heat Escape Lessening Posture technique will be taught. Click here for SwimSafer Gold Teaching Syllabus